An individual who willfully submits himself to the commands of Allah (God) is considered to be a Muslim. There are over 1.5 billion Muslims around the world and Mohamed Salah is one of them. A Muslim prays 5 times a day. In the prayer, one bow & prostrates during which one praises Allah (God), asks for forgiveness and guidance.
During the 5 daily prayers, a Muslim performs sujood (prostration) 34 times. In Islamic thought, sujood (prostration) is perceived of as the physically lowest, but spiritually highest, position a person can take. Mohamed Salah’s performance of sujood (prostration) outside of salaah, then, is a specific expression of gratitude for goals scored. Though many other Premier League footballers are Muslim, Salah is the only one who regularly prostrates on the pitch. Many players in other sports also perform a prostration.
You may then ask the questions ‘What is sujood?’ and ‘what is its’ significance?’ Carry on reading as we delve into this topic a little deeper and answer these questions. “Sajdah” is an Arabic word, which means prostration to the Almighty God. During this condition, a Muslim Praises and Glorifies the Name of Allah, the Exalted.
The above-mentioned expression completes the true gist of being in the powerless position in front of the Almighty Lord; therefore, it is not merely a state of placing one’s head down but actually is a complete form of Veneration of God. A Muslim prostrates to Allah (God) in order to thank HIM. A Muslim believes that all power & glory belongs to the Creator of heavens and earth.
A Muslim places the highest part of his body (forehead) on the lowest place on earth signifying total submission believing it’s with Allah’s command and strength that a person has been able to do good. He thanks him, asks for forgiveness and guidance. Relying on Allah (God), a higher being is the solution to many problems relating to stress, worry, and anxiety. Knowing there is a greater being controlling everything, that you can turn to at all times of need, gives one a type of humbleness and submission.
It is the custom of the world that whoever invents something astonishing is praised and admired by the rest of the humankind. This mode of tribute is meant to admit the unparalleled intelligence and astuteness of the architect.
Similarly, Allah (God) is the Creator of the entire universe and everything present in it also declare His Greatness as the Almighty Lord says in the Holy Quran:
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
“And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant.”
(Al-Qur’an 16:49)
It means that every object made by God, the Exalted, whether it is in heavens, space or on earth, demonstrates the act of humbleness in front of the Creator of the worlds. It is also imperative to note that this mode of showing gratitude to the Most Merciful by His Creation is done in the form of prostration.
The Almighty Lord says:
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“So exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].”
(Al-Qur’an 15:98)
Hence, Allah (God) directs all of us to be in a state of Sujood (prostration) before Him, which is the most rightful and just way to illustrate the required level of gratitude and meekness to the Most Powerful.
The benefits of sujood (prostration) is as follows:
1. Nearness to the Most Merciful:
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
(Al-Qur’an 98:19)
2. Achievement of Jannah (paradise):
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Prostrate much because there is no Muslim that prostrates to God except that God raises him one degree in Paradise by it and forgives for him a sin.”
(Ahmad)
3. Being distinguished in the hereafter:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“My Ummah (nation) on that day will surely have bright faces because of Sujood (prostration) and bright arms and feet because of ablution.”
(Ahmad)
4. Cause of Rising in One`s Status Near Allah (God):
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever humbles himself before Allah (God), Allah will elevate him.”
(Muslim)
You should try to place your forehead on the ground and ask for guidance, steadfastness & forgiveness. May Allah make us from those who prostrate to Him alone. Ameen.
Source: whydomuslims
